Air India and Booking. com, a Netherlands based online travel agency, on Monday announced a strategic partnership in travel bookings to allow customers to book accommodation directly through a dedicated co-branded platform on the airline’s website and mobile app.
The partnership would provide Air India customers to access global accommodations through a dedicated co-branded platform on the Air India website and mobile app. Exclusive benefits and loyalty rewards shall also be availed to Maharaja Club members.
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The platform would provide Air India customers with access to Booking. com’s 31 million reported listings, which includes 8.6 million listings in homes, villas and other stay facilities.
Under the arrangement, members of Air India’s loyalty programme, the Maharaja Club, will earn five Maharaja Points for every ₹100 spent on accommodation bookings made through the dedicated platform. The points can be redeemed for award flights and cabin upgrades.
Laura Houldsworth, Managing Director and Vice President, Asia Pacific at Booking. com said that combining their global accommodation inventory with Air India’s growing international network, they aim to help make it easier for travellers to book their flights and stay in one place.
“As travellers increasingly seek integrated, digital-first travel experiences, we are excited to partner with Air India. This collaboration reflects our Connected Trip vision of making travel planning simpler and more seamless. By combining our diverse global accommodation inventory with Air India’s growing international network, we are helping to make it easier for travellers to book their flights and stay in one place. This partnership also reinforces our commitment to India, delivering greater value, rewarding loyalty and creating a more seamless, end-to-end travel experience,” she said.
The move is aimed at expanding Air India’s travel ecosystem. “Our partnership with Booking. com is another step in our efforts to build a comprehensive travel ecosystem for our customers. By combining Air India’s growing global network with Booking. com’s vast portfolio, we are offering our guests greater convenience, choice and added value across journeys,” said Abhijit Menon, Divisional Vice President and Head of Revenue Management at Air India.
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Over the last two years, more than 100 brands across categories have entered partnerships with Air India for the Maharaja Club through the Star Alliance.
